toothless

/ˈtuːθləs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtuːθləs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtüth-ləs/ (ame, mw)

toothless — adjective

  • toothlesspositive
  • more toothlesscomparative
  • most toothlesssuperlative

1. not having any natural or artificial teeth in the mouth

1.形容詞B1
釋義

not having any natural or artificial teeth in the mouth

例句

Kian's grandmother gave a wide, toothless smile when she saw her great-grandson.

collocation: toothless smile

The old rescue dog slept by the fire, its toothless mouth hanging open.

attributive use: toothless mouth

同義詞
  • edentulous

    medical term; far too technical for everyday use — almost never used outside dentistry

  • gummy

    informal, focuses on the appearance of the gums rather than the absence of teeth

  • bare-gummed

    informal, descriptive but uncommon in writing

反義詞
  • toothy

    having prominent or many teeth; describes a smile that shows lots of teeth

文法句型

toothless + noun (attributive)

be + toothless (predicative)

用法筆記

Often describes elderly people, babies who have not yet grown teeth, or animals. Can refer to a temporary state (after losing teeth) or a permanent condition.

常見錯誤

❌The toothless baby is crying because her gums hurt.
✅The teething baby is crying because her gums hurt.
💡'toothless' means having no teeth; a baby cutting new teeth is 'teething', not 'toothless'.

2. unable to enforce rules, punish wrongdoing, or produce a real effect — used of l

2.形容詞B2
釋義

unable to enforce rules, punish wrongdoing, or produce a real effect — used of laws, regulations, organizations, or agreements that exist on paper but carry no force

例句

The new environmental law is toothless because no agency checks whether companies obey it.

predicative: [subject] is toothless + reason clause

Critics called the safety committee toothless, saying it could only make suggestions without real authority.

pattern: call + object + toothless

同義詞
  • powerless

    broader; can describe any lack of power, not just enforcement ability

  • ineffective

    focuses on results not achieved; less metaphorical than 'toothless'

  • weak

    general and informal; lacks the specific 'no enforcement' nuance of 'toothless'

  • impotent

    formal; similar meaning but can carry unintended connotations

反義詞
  • effective

    able to produce the intended result

  • powerful

    having the ability to control or enforce

  • forceful

    strong and able to impose itself

文法句型

be + toothless (predicative)

toothless + noun (attributive)

prove + toothless

call + noun + toothless

用法筆記

Used almost exclusively of institutions, laws, regulations, and agreements. Avoid applying this sense to people unless describing a person in an official role that lacks real power, not their personal qualities.

常見錯誤

❌My father is toothless and cannot control his anger.
✅My father is powerless and cannot control his anger.
💡'toothless' describes things lacking enforcement mechanisms, not a person lacking self-control.

❌ 'The toothless baby cried all night.' (when the baby has no teeth, this is correct for sense 1, but if the meaning is 'helpless' it is wrong) — 'toothless' for people always refers to literal missing teeth, not helplessness.